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Get Official GS1 GTINs and UPC Barcodes for Amazon, Walmart, and Retail

GearChain is more than a GS1 US partner. As both a GS1 US Solution Partner and GS1 US Channel Partner, GearChain helps businesses get official GTINs and UPC barcodes from a trusted source, with guidance on choosing the right option for Amazon, Walmart, retail stores, and growing product catalogs.

Get Official GS1 GTINs and UPC Barcodes for Amazon, Walmart, and Retail

If you need a barcode for one product or a scalable identifier system for many products,
GearChain gives you a clear path to get started.

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Quick Answer

If you want to sell products on Amazon, Walmart, eBay, or in retail stores, you usually need a valid GTIN and barcode. GearChain helps you obtain official GS1 identifiers in two ways:

  • ● Single GTIN for a small number of products
  • ● GS1 Company Prefix for multiple products and long-term growth

This helps you avoid barcode ownership problems, improve product data accuracy, and meet marketplace and retailer requirements.

Two Ways to Get GTINs

1. Single GTIN

A Single GS1 US GTIN is a simple, low-cost option for businesses launching a small number of products.

Best for:

  • startups
  • new Amazon sellers
  • businesses with one or a few products
  • brands testing a new product line

Key benefit:
You can get a valid GS1 identifier for a one-time $30 fee, with no annual renewal.

2. GS1 Company Prefix

A GS1 Company Prefix is designed for businesses that need multiple GTINs and more flexibility across products, packaging, and locations.

Best for:

  • growing brands
  • manufacturers
  • wholesalers
  • businesses selling in multiple channels
  • companies that need more advanced barcode structures

Key benefit:
A company prefix lets you create multiple identifiers for:

  • individual products
  • cases and cartons
  • pallets
  • locations

It also links your brand directly to your identifiers and supports long-term product line expansion.

Which Option Is Right for You?

Choose a Single GTIN if:
◉ you only need one or a few barcodes
◉ you are launching your first product
◉ you want the simplest and most affordable path
◉ you do not need a full product family structure yet

Choose a GS1 Company Prefix if:
◉ you plan to launch multiple products
◉ your catalog will grow over time
◉ you need identifiers for cases, pallets, or logistics
◉ you want a scalable barcode system connected to your brand

Why Official GS1 Identifiers Matter

Many sellers search for cheap or third-party barcodes, but that often creates problems later. Retailers and marketplaces increasingly verify barcode ownership through GS1 records.

Using official GS1 identifiers helps you:
◉ prove your barcode is tied to your company
◉ reduce listing issues on Amazon and Walmart
◉ avoid relabeling costs later
◉ improve trust across supply chain partners
◉ support accurate product identification and traceability

If your barcode does not match your brand in GS1 records, it can lead to rejected listings, compliance issues, or additional operational costs.

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What GearChain Helps You Do

GearChain helps you go beyond simply buying a barcode. We support the full process of getting and using GS1 identifiers properly.

With GearChain, you can:

  • obtain official GS1 GTINs
  • choose between a Single GTIN and a Company Prefix
  • prepare for Amazon, Walmart, and retailer requirements
  • manage your product identifiers more confidently
  • reduce the risk of invalid or mismatched codes
  • connect identifiers to a broader inventory workflow

Benefits for Manufacturers

For manufacturing businesses, official GS1 identifiers help create a more reliable product and supply chain process.

GearChain helps manufacturers:
◉ use verified GS1 identifiers across production and inventory systems
◉ support product traceability
◉ align with retailer and distributor requirements
◉ improve data consistency across internal and external systems
◉ reduce problems caused by unofficial or recycled identifiers
◉ support compliance and operational accuracy

Benefits for eCommerce Brands

If you sell online, getting the right GTIN setup early can prevent listing problems and make expansion easier.

GearChain helps eCommerce businesses:
◉ get verifiable GS1 identifiers for products
◉ meet Amazon and Walmart barcode requirements
◉ avoid issues caused by mismatched company ownership
◉ create a stronger foundation for scaling product listings
◉ support cleaner product data across marketplaces

How the Process Works

Step 1: Choose the right GTIN option

Decide whether a Single GTIN or GS1 Company Prefix fits your product count and growth plans.

Step 2: Get your official identifier

License your GTINs through the proper GS1 path with GearChain guidance.

Step 3: Register product information

Add your product details in the GS1 US Data Hub so your identifiers are tied to accurate product records.

Step 4: Generate and use your barcode

Create barcode assets for your product listings, packaging, and retail requirements.

Put Your New Barcode to Work

Use GearChain to generate barcode labels, scan products from your phone, track quantities, and synchronize inventory with Google Sheets or Excel.

Step 5: Scale with confidence

As your catalog grows, use a barcode structure that supports long-term inventory and sales operations.

What Is the GS1 US Data Hub?

The GS1 US Data Hub is a tool included with your GS1 GTIN or Company Prefix. It helps businesses manage product identifiers and related data more efficiently.

You can use it to:

  • create and manage GTINs
  • store product information
  • generate and download barcode formats
  • access your GS1 certificate
  • keep product records aligned with GS1 standards

Using the Data Hub can make it easier to maintain consistent product data for marketplaces and retailers.

GTIN, UPC, and SKU: What’s the Difference?

This is one of the most common areas of confusion.

SKU

A SKU is an internal code created by your business for inventory tracking. It is not a global product identifier.

GTIN

A GTIN is a globally recognized product identifier issued through GS1. It helps identify products across supply chains and sales channels.

UPC

A UPC is the barcode format commonly used in North America. It visually encodes the GTIN for scanning.

Simple way to think about it:

  • SKU = internal business code
  • GTIN = official product identifier
  • UPC = scannable barcode format

Do Amazon and Walmart Require GTINs?

In many cases, yes. Major marketplaces and retailers often require valid GTINs and may verify them against GS1 records.

Why this matters:

If a code is invalid, reused, or not properly tied to your company, you may face:

  • rejected listings
  • product matching problems
  • retailer compliance issues
  • account friction
  • relabeling costs

Using official GS1 identifiers helps reduce these risks.

Common Use Cases

New product launch on Amazon

A seller needs one official barcode for a first product listing.

Small brand with a growing catalog

A business starts with a few products but expects to expand over the next year.

Manufacturer selling to retail partners

A company needs product identifiers that support retailer acceptance and supply chain consistency.

Multi-channel seller

A brand wants identifiers that work across Amazon, Walmart, eBay, and retail distribution.

Why Businesses Choose GearChain

Businesses choose GearChain because they want more than a barcode seller. They want a trusted path to official identifiers plus practical help using them correctly.

GearChain provides:

  • access to official GS1 pathways
  • expert support on choosing the right option
  • help reducing barcode-related listing issues
  • guidance on product identifier setup
  • stronger connection between barcode ownership and inventory operations

Get the Right GTIN Setup for Your Business

If you need official GTINs and UPC barcodes for Amazon, Walmart, retail, or manufacturing workflows, GearChain can help you choose the right option and get started with confidence.

Whether you need one barcode or a scalable company prefix, GearChain helps you move forward with a trusted GS1-based path.

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FAQ

Choose based on the number of digits in your GTIN:

  • 12 digits: Use UPC (common in North America)
  • 13 digits: Use EAN (common globally)
  • 14 digits: Used for grouped items like cases and cartons
  • 8 digits: Used for very small items.

The right type depends on your product, packaging, and sales region.

GS1 is the globally recognized authority for assigning unique identifiers to products and companies. While many third-party vendors claim to offer GS1-compliant barcodes, only those obtained directly from GS1 or through an official GS1 channel partner truly link your brand to the barcode. Retailers frequently verify barcode ownership through the GS1 Database. If your company isn't listed as the registered brand owner, you risk account suspension or being forced to relabel your products—leading to unnecessary delays and added costs.

  • SKU (Stock Keeping Unit): An internal code used by a business for tracking inventory. Each company creates its own SKUs.
  • GTIN (Global Trade Item Number): A globally recognized product ID used across the supply chain. It's the number encoded in barcodes and is issued by GS1 to ensure uniqueness.
  • UPC (Universal Product Code): The barcode format used primarily in North America. It visually encodes the GTIN and is scanned for inventory and sales tracking.

Yes. These marketplaces often require GTINs and verify them through GS1. Invalid or recycled GTINs can lead to rejected listings or errors. GearChain can help ensure your product IDs are valid, GS1-compliant, and accepted across major retail platforms.

The GS1 US Data Hub is a free tool that comes with your GS1 GTIN or Company Prefix. It helps you:

  • Create and manage GTINs
  • Store product information
  • Generate and download barcodes (UPC, ITF-14, GS1-128)
  • Access and print your GS1 certificate Using the Data Hub ensures your product data aligns with global standards and simplifies sharing with retailers.

GearChain is an authorized GS1 US partner, providing you with access to authentic, verifiable GTINs backed by expert support. We simplify the licensing process, ensure your codes comply with GS1 standards, and help you avoid the risks associated with unofficial or reused barcodes. We also assist in managing your GTINs within the GS1 US Data Hub. Most importantly, GearChain empowers you to maximize the value of your GTINs through our integrated inventory management platform.

Single GTIN: Best for startups or businesses with just a few products. It costs $30 (no renewal fees) and includes a GS1 US ownership certificate.

  • GS1 Company Prefix: Ideal for growing businesses. It allows you to generate multiple GTINs, supports advanced inventory needs (e.g., SSCCs, GLNs), and meets large retailer requirements.

Once you’ve licensed your GTINs through GS1, you’ll register product-specific information (name, size, description, etc.) using the GS1 US Data Hub. This ensures accurate, standardized product listings for marketplaces and retailers.